Retail industry

Old Masters vanish before our eyes

Article Abstract:

Old Masters are a revered part of European civilisation but modern cleaning, restoration, retouching and revarnishing flatten and over-brighten them. The demand for accessibility removed them from the palaces and churches for which they were made. In museums they have to compete with various other images in alien surroundings. Curators demand restoration of museum quality and do not believe in restoration with the minimum possible intervention. They treat external critics of restorations with disdain.

Where are all the angry parents?

Article Abstract:

Militant teachers tend to be dismissed as extremists and no longer an influential force in an improving educational climate. However, questions must then be raised about why such teachers still exist at all. In fact, parents should still be very concerned about educational standards. There is a very wide gap between the best and the worst schools, and parents should do a lot more to challenge the government about why this situation has been allowed to persist.

An unjustified death on the box

Article Abstract:

A BBC2 documentary showing the death through euthanasia of a Dutch man affected by motor neurone disease at first appears to deal with this controversial issue sensitively. However, it raises questions about showing euthanasia on television. Anti-euthanasia campaigners are concerned that it represents progaganda for the legalisation of euthanasia and that it will convey inappropriate messages to the chronically ill.